Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania [2023] – Paul Rudd, Jonathan Majors, Evangeline Lilly

Quantumania is the 31st movie from Marvel Studios. The franchise fatigue is showing off, but it certainly has a future thanks to a powerful performance by Jonathan Majors.

As far as I’m concerned, this is the first movie since Endgame where I intentionally came in after I’ve only seen the first trailer. I wanted a fresh look at the first movie from phase five. And I can honestly say: my confidence in the MCU is shaken.

Everyone that hasn’t been living under a rock knows that Jonathan Majors is playing the next MCU big bad KANG. KANG in the comics has multiple variants and personalities. The first season of LOKI introduced us to the first variant. Quantumania opens the flood gates to the conqueror and Majors does not disappoint. He’s imposing and scary, dangerous and let’s be frank, has a point. I’m glad that the MCU adaptation gave him depth because the comics version was…flat.

So, why am I focusing on Majors? Because the movie has very few things going for it. Instead of a third Ant-Man movie, it should have been a standalone introductory movie for Kang. Yes, I love Paul Rudd, but he doesn’t really leave an impression here.

In addition, the script is severely undercooked. Even if we only consider the Ant-Man franchise, without the bigger MCU, the movie has, and creates, a lot of plot holes.

So, why did I give it a 50% rating? Director Peyton Reed should really be thankful to a couple of things: Jonathan Majors (obviously), Kathryn Newton as Cassie Lang, M.O.D.O.K., and Slimey (whatever his name is, but that’s what I decided to call him). Each one of those actors nailed their performances and characters by far. Majors is mesmerizing, Newton is by far the best Lang, M.O.D.O.K. was an extremely pleasant surprise, and Slimey was over the top.

Should you watch it?

Jonathan Majors plays Kang to perfection. Even if you think it’s the worst movie of the Ant-Man series, Majors holds this movie on his own big broad shoulders. And it helps that the two credits scenes are the best since MCU Phase 2.

Where can I watch it?

Marvel Studios’ Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania is streaming on Disney Plus starting May 17th 2023.